Subject: Large red ant-like bug Geographic location of the bug: Topanga State Park, LA county, USA Date: 01/05/2019 Time: 01:54 PM EDT Your letter to the bugman: Hello, This very large, red, ant-like insect crossed the trail right in front of us yesterday. We were hiking near Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park in Southern California (LA county). The insect was about 3 inches long with a large round red head and a black and brown abdomen. We photographed it (see attached), and looked online to try and identify it. Our search has not turned up anything. Can you help us identify it? Thanks! How you want your letter signed: Casual Hiker

Potato Bug

Dear Casual Hiker, Commonly called a Potato Bug or a Jerusalem Cricket, this distinctive insect is a common southern California native that spends most of its life underground. Fall and winter rains bring them to the surface so most sightings are made shortly after a good rain.

Subject: Huge Bug Identification Geographic location of the bug: Southern California Date: 11/27/2018 Time: 01:28 AM EDT Your letter to the bugman: This bug was found in the garage. It is about 2 inches long. How you want your letter signed: Amy

Potato Bug

Dear Amy, This is a Potato Bug or Jerusalem Cricket, one of our most common Southern California submissions. They are often sighted after a rain.

Subject: Inhuman Centepede Geographic location of the bug: Bloomington, Indiana U.S. Date: 08/02/2018 Time: 04:43 AM EDT Your letter to the bugman: I am just curious as to what this is. I found it in the stairwell outside of my kids bedroom. How you want your letter signed: Mista Jay

House Centipede

Dear Mista Jay, Though this is only our second posting of a House Centipede this year, it is still one of our Top Ten identification requests. We were amused by your sly reference to the cult film The Human Centipede, but because we try to run a family friendly site, we will not be linking to any articles on one of the most luridly gross horror films ever made.

Thank you for the information! You set my mind at ease. I apologize for the R rated reference. I could submit a more family friendly version if you wanted me to.

Heavens no. We don’t mind the reference, and as we stated, we were amused. We just won’t link to any reviews or articles about The Human Centipede.

I see haha awesome. Thank you! Again, thank you for the information. If I wanted to keep this lil dude as a pet how should I go about building a habitat for it to live?

As the name implies, the House Centipede has adapted quite well to living with humans. A small terrarium with a secure lid should suit is nicely. It will eat crickets from the pet store as well as most any insect or arthropod you introduce into the terrarium.

Subject: 9” long insect in PA! Geographic location of the bug: Enola, Pennsylvania Date: 07/08/2018 Time: 05:56 AM EDT Your letter to the bugman: Hi – I found this large insect on my exterior house wall early evening, July 8th, 2018. It did not move at all, as I was taking the photo or when I placed the measuring tape next to it. We have 20 acres of woods around us, so our home is pretty shaded. Native? I have lived here 13 years and I have not seen this insect before. I sent the image to my neighbor and he said he saw the same insect, last week, also for the first time, by his office in York, PA. His office is located in an industrial area. Thanks! How you want your letter signed: Anneli

Wrote wrong dimensions in question. Hi – I submitted an insect ID question this morning, but being European I wrote 9” instead of about 9 cm! Sorry – Anneli

Male Dobsonfly

Dear Anneli, Even at a more modest four inches in length, the male Dobsonfly startles many folks upon their first encounter, and even subsequent encounters trigger fear, but the male Dobsonfly is perfectly harmless. His impressive mandibles cannot harm a human. They are used during the mating ritual. Semi-aquatic laval Dobsonflies, known as Hellgrammites, are used as bait by many fishermen.

Subject: Whats this bug?? Geographic location of the bug: Virginia Date: 07/04/2018 Time: 08:35 AM EDT Your letter to the bugman: Woke up this morning to this bug glued to the side of the house How you want your letter signed: Mr Ward